My task was to design a workshop that would allow visitors to create their own designs inspired by the poster collection from the Museum's archive. I set about digging into the poster archive to search for design styles that I could reference in my workshop. I was particularly drawn towards the work of Cyril Power, Elizabeth Baranov, Paul Catherall and Clive Gardiner – artists that used perspective, block colour and simple forms to create dynamic and beautiful images.
I was delighted to welcome almost 100 participants to my printing workshop, all of whom got to take home their A3 London Transport poster as a souvenir of their night at the Museum Late.
"Samantha designed and ran a brilliant ‘print your own retro poster’ workshop at a museum late at London Transport Museum. Samantha worked really flexibly with the museum’s collection as inspiration, was professional and thoughtful throughout the workshop development and delivery, and created a really visually appealing and popular session for our visitors."
Molly Barker, Learning Officer, London Transport Museum.
I am so impressed with the Transport Museum's free online poster archive and urge you to check it out, especially if you have an interest in design and London Transport. It's incredible how the techniques, styles and methods have changed over time. Spanning from the 1900's when Chief Executive of London Transport, Frank Pick, announced the importance of design for the company.
Here's a brief history of poster design for the London Transport system.
1920's/1930's
The Golden Age. Poster design reached its peak of stylistic quality. London Transport is regarded as a leading patron of the arts.
Style - bold modernism and clear messaging. Futuristic and Art Deco styles are popular. Female artists are valued and over a quarter of London Underground publicity is designed by women (which is more than most companies at that time).
1940's/1950's
After the Second World War, the London transport system was carrying more passengers than ever. Poster designs became more informative to better inform the rise of passengers.
1960's/1970's
Decline in passengers using the London Transport system. Tighter budgets and a huge decline in commissioning artists. Poster art was seen as a luxury.
1970's
the use of agencies increases and advertising work is contracted out to agencies. There was a move from a 'soft sell' approach to art posters with measurable results.
1980's
Nearly all adverts were contracted through agencies. Posters became more photographic. In 1986, commissioning artists started again with the help of the 'Art of the Underground' scheme which helped to fill blank spaces.
1990's
Poster space became more aggressively sold after London Transport advertising became privatised.
2000's
London Transport became Transport For London.
There were more modes of transport with the addition of boats.
Artists were commissioned to create posters with a clear marketing message and needed to compete with big, bright plasma screens.
Thank you to Molly at the London Transport Museum for organising such a brilliant event and including me in the special Museum Late. And thank you Kazvare Made It for supporting me and my brand.
Global Posters Gallery is a permanent exhibition at The London Transport Museum
Address
London Transport MuseumCovent Garden PiazzaLondonWC2E 7BB
